Athens was the first place in the world to have a democratic government, and it was where a lot of great art and theater came from. Athens was also the place where Socrates developed a new way of teaching and thinking about science that grew into modern scientific method.

In Classical Athens, the Assembly of all men who were citizens voted on every important decision. For everyday decisions, the Athenians had a Council of Five Hundred, chosen by lottery, and some officials, the generals, who were elected by the Assembly.